Towing Issues: Towing law, traffic barricades, traffic code

Question
Thanks Richard! We're in San Francisco, and recently talked to the DPT and scheduled a hearing. According to DPT, the law in SF is that a special event sign has to be posted 24 hours before the event and a car is considered abandoned if it's been left in the same place for 72 hours. We parked the car on Thursday afternoon (there was no sign posted re: parking restriction for the event), and the car was towed at 7:15 am on Sunday.  It seems to me like we should win the hearing. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,
Amanda

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Followup To
Question -
Hi,

We recently parked our car on a public street in California.  We park our car there often, and the only sign up restricts parking from 6-8 am on Wednesday mornings for street cleaning. We parked our car there on Thursday morning, and then came to find out that our car was towed on Saturday because there was a parade. There were no signs mentioning the parade or restricted parking because of it.  The police department were responsible for towing (and cited Code: TC, Section: 33.c on the ticket).  Is this legal, and what are our remedies?

Thanks much,
Amanda
Answer -
Well first of all, I do not know what City in California you are in, so its hard to be specific as to the answer here.

But in a basic nutshell,  most cities across the United States consider vehicles parked over 24 hours on any roadway or street to be abandoned and subject to tow. They usually have laws covering this.

Now on to the problem, in alot of cities that I have worked and towed in, special events (IE parades, block parties, construction ) have had signs of a temporary basis usually on traffic barricades (folding sawhorse style ) up a day or 2  before the event.

Now you did not mention when you found the vehicle towed. This is why the signs might not be visible.

The traffic code you mentioned did not lead me to any specific rules or laws, so I can not offer help there.
BUT in California most Cities have a towing review board of some form. Check with the city or even CHP to see if there is one in your area.

I am sorry to say but I think you will find this legal, and you are responsible for the tow and storage fees and also the parking ticket you received also.

I wish you luck, and let me know if you have anymore questions  or information on this.

Thank you

Richard  

Answer
well if it was cited and towed for the special event, you might have a problem , as you mentioned you parked thursday, and it was towed sunday am..  they could of had the time to put up the signs up and you would not of known.

Now the chance that it was cited as abandoned, it would be real close as to if the time frame was correct..

I am going to say that there is a slim change you can win on the parade ticket if that is what it is..


Good luck in either event.  It never hurts to try.